Geelong
Friday, 15 February, 2013
Connecting people and communities
Phone: 5249 6700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Police, ACCC, consumer affairs called in over ads
Real estate warfare
By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
ALLEGATIONS of secret commissions to Geelong real estate agents have been referred to Victoria Police and consumer affairs watchdogs. The allegations were included in a $1.4 million County Court writ lodged by MMP Greater Geelong, publishers of The Weekly Review, against Hayeswinckle Real Estate. The writ alleges Hayeswinckle was induced to break a contract with the Review to switch its advertising to the Geelong Advertiser. MMP communications director John
Hine said the company had made a complaint about the alleged secret commissions to the police fraud squad, Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC). The Estate Agents Act prohibits agents from retaining rebates or discounts on any goods or services, such as advertising. Rebates or the value of any gifts must be returned to the vendor. “Hayeswinckle vendors have every right to pursue their agent for the rebates we allege he has received from the Advertiser,” Mr Hine said.
The newspaper war broke out late last year between the News Ltd’s Advertiser and the Review over real estate advertising. The Review, part owned by Fairfax Media, signed 25 of Geelong’s real estate agencies to become shareholders in the publication, receiving fixed dividends for set amounts of advertising spend. The writ alleges Hayeswinckle was contracted to spend $470,400 annually in the Review but broke the contract at the behest of News Ltd, receiving $50,000 a year, hospitality and a diamond ring from the Advertiser.
Hayeswinckle also received “uncommercial discounting and the waiver or postponement of long overdue debt”, according to the statement of claim. Mr Hine said the Advertiser’s attempt to claw back lost revenue was “no surprise”. “What they have done is what we expected them to do ... for him (Mr Hayes) to deny this will end him up in a witness box in court and he will look silly.” Mr Hine said the Review entered the Geelong market at the invitation of a group of real estate agents because the Advertiser’s pricing was “ridiculous”. To page 2
CATS CHASE ‘CHEMISTRY’ IN CUP - P3
ON THE BALL: Darryn Lyons tees up for the McKellar Centre Golf Day. Picture: GREG WANE 93734
‘KNOT’ YOUR USUAL SIGHT IN CITY - P7
Mr Paparazzi’s eye on the ball to help McKellar Centre what a worthy cause the McKellar Centre is.” Darryn Lyons will play in the Independent’s annual McKellar Centre Charity Golf Day, raising money for important diagnostic equipment to aid the centre’s work with aged care and rehabilitation patients. He described himself as a “once-or-
215/60R16
$89
205/65R15
$75
Don’t Miss Out Sale Ends Feb 17.
10
$
TRADE-IN WMA
200W Mechless Media Player yer er • Doesn't play CDs SKU ME14114 Proud Sponsors of Camp Quality
Prices include fitting, balancing, scrap disposal. Pics for Illustration purposes only.
Ph: 5241 1944 1 Curtis Street, Belmont
WIN TICKETS TO MOVIES SEE PAGE 20
HUGE CAR AUDIO CLEARANCE LESS L E
Suit Large Car
QUALITY STEEL RADIALS
1063485-KG8-13
QUALITY STEEL RADIALS
Suit Large Car
$49
Suit Small Car
TYRE CENTRE 175/70R13
I’ll soon sort you out and see how good you are.” The 18-hole, Ambrose-format golf day, with on-course catering and a twocourse luncheon, will begin 8am on Friday, April 5, at 13th Beach golf course. Entries are available by phoning Barwon Health Foundation on 4215 8900 or emailing foundation@barwonhealth.org. au.
4 Day Sale
BARWON QUALITY STEEL RADIALS
twice-a-year” player happy to “have a crack” for the McKellar Centre. “My last game was with Shane Warne and I beat him on one hole at James Packer’s place, so that’s my claim to fame this year.” Mr Lyons urged individuals and teams to enter this year’s golf day. “Come and take on Mr Paparazzi and
1060026-TB03-13
“MR PAPARAZZI” knows from personal experience the importance of North Geelong’s McKellar Centre. “My nanna was there for many years and mum always used to say how the girls there did such an incredible job day in and day out,” he said. “We’ve also had several close friends of the family there as well, so I know
69
ON SUPER CHARGE GOLD & CENTURY ULTRA HI PERFORMANCE BATTERIES*
GREAT VALUE!
GEELONG
82 SEPARATION ST PH: 5278 1200 ~ Savings are off regular ticketed price. AUTOVICN05675
Geelong’s ONLY LIVE Showroom
1300 348 847 GEELONG’S SOLAR POWER SPECIALISTS • GEELONG • SURFCOAST • BELLARINE 8/32 Essington Street, Grovedale PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE www.citytosurfsolar.com.au